Post Colonoscopy Nightmare

[sassycj]

Hi!
Had a colonoscopy on Thurs. Prep  was Phosphosoda, no big deal. Sedated with Versed/Fentanyl. He found a polyp and removed it.Woke up feeling sleepy and nauseous.Took something for that.Air trapped inside was a killer.Passed gas a few times, didn't help. Couldn't find a comfortable postion..in lots of pain. Gave a dose of Bentyl. Didn't do jack. About 15 minutes, another dose. Nothing. I am in major pain..called Doc. Gave me Dilaudid, sent for x-rays. No perforation, just a lot of air that wasn't coming out. Told that it was not common..that they would have to go back in with a scope to relieve. Pretty amazing since I consider myself a gas-bag, rather than a gas retainer. Anyway, I went back to sleep and they popped the scope back in. It did relieve pressure, thankfully. However, there was still a lot of air in there.It is slowly going away.I am telling you my intestines or whatever are trashed.My belly is still all gassy, can't eat too much as it is just not comfortable. I am not a puss..I have a high tolerance for pain.Went shopping today. This belly thing is a drag, though.
How normal is all of this?
How long until I feel normal?I mean, it is Sunday afternoon!
Can the scoping kind of change the position of your intestines temporarily so that it causes some discomfort?
Thanks for your perspective!
Momof4

[sassycj]

Thanks to all who responded! Talked to my GI guy today..I guess I had a volulus like twisting of my intestines..extremely painful! So..he had to go BACK IN ( yikes!) to gently encourage my bowels to untangle! Feeling better now..who hoo! Say he deals with this about once a year!!!

[lizziecee]

I am so sorry you are experiencing these problems. I guess you don't have a proper diagnosis as of now.

I have had Crohn's for some 35 yrs now, had a laparotomy in 1970, and was one of the first patients with IBD to have a colonoscopy in England - Bliss! They put that needle in my hand, and I wake up to a cup of tea and a biscuit! The worst part for me is the prep - like defecating through broken glass.

If you have IBD, which I truly hope is not the case, I am afraid you just have to live with these symptoms from testing. I must have had some 10 colonoscopies since being dx with Crohn's. Colonoscopy is not such a big deal compared with the surgical laparotomy I had to go through to diagnose Crohn's; living with being faecally incontinent and identifying problems in the gastro upper and lower tract, as I have, is so much more difficult. Even my gastro says: "I have empirical problems" - had to look that up in a dictionary, and we are now really flying by the seat of our pants.

Take care - get some ginger ale - and let us know how you are.
Love, Liz.

I hope the colonoscopy has identified your problems. I have found that drinking ginger related liquids helps - ginger ale, ginger beer (non alcoholic) and occasionally, Stone's ginger wine - magical, with some ginger ale.

[Kalio1]

You are not a puss or "bothering" anyone! Call that doctor and see if you can get some answers and relief. You deserve them and should have your conceerns addressed without feeling like you are a pest. Id want a CT scan to make SURE something wasn't going on that they are missing. Dont mess around with a perforation, even a small one. Im not saying that is what is happening but if it is, you want to know sooner rather than later.

[sassycj]

Well...hmm. If it was small perforation will it heal itself? I do have gas ( distention)..but it is no comparison to the gas I had Thursday coming home or Friday. So, I am thinking that if it were a perforation that I would be experiencing a lot of pain? Or maybe even a fever from infection? Incidentally, I did start my period the day after the procedure. Maybe some funky hormonal things going on?
I guess I really wanted to know if the intestines get displaced..sort of. And does that cause ..gas retention? I especially notice the air right under my sternum? Xiphoid process? Whatever--at the top of a "6pack" on the belly. I am lucky to not have a lot of fat on my abdomen, so it is easy to see where it sticks out. You know when you do that tapping thing to hear for air sounds?  Wouldn't it hurt if there were a perforation? My stomach feel more achey, as if I a recovering from the stomach flu. So, wait it out? Call the Doc? I hate being puss...I hate to bother you guys.
thank you again,
Cj

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Normally, there should be no lingering side effects from a colonoscopy.  This presentation would be relatively uncommon.

A CT scan can be considered to evaluated for any free air (i.e. to evaluate for a perforation).  Colon spasms can be considered as well - although Bentyl should help if this was the case.  

This option can be discussed with your personal physician, or in conjunction with a GI physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_